Prometheus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is about the Greek . For other uses, see Prometheus (disambiguation).

Prometheus depicted in a sculpture by Nicolas-Sébastien Adam, 1762 (Louvre) In Greek mythology, Prometheus (Greek: Προμηθεύς, pronounced [promɛːtʰeús]) is a Titan, culture hero, and trickster figure who is credited with the creation of man from clay and the theft of fire for human use, an act that enabled progress and civilization. He is known for his intelligence, and as a champion of humanity.[1] The punishment of Prometheus as a consequence of the theft is a major theme of his mythology, and is a popular subject of both ancient and modern art. Zeus, king of the Olympian gods, sentenced the Titan to eternal torment for his transgression. The immortal Prometheus was bound to a rock, where each day an eagle, the emblem of Zeus, was sent to feed on his liver, which would then grow back to be eaten again the next day. In some stories, Prometheus is freed at last by the hero Heracles (Hercules). In another of his myths, Prometheus establishes the form of animal sacrifice practiced in ancient Greek religion. Evidence of a cult to Prometheus himself is not widespread. He was a focus of religious activity mainly at Athens, where he was linked to Athena and Hephaestus, other Greek deities of creative skills and technology.[2] In the Western classical tradition, Prometheus became a figure who represented human striving, particularly the quest for scientific knowledge, and the risk of overreaching or unintended consequences. In particular, he was regarded in the Romantic era as embodying the lone genius whose efforts to improve human existence could also result in tragedy: Mary Shelley, for instance, gave The Modern Prometheus as the subtitle to her novel Frankenstein (1818). Contents * 1 Etymology * 2 Mythology * 2.1 Hesiod * 2.2 Aeschylus * 2.3 Other authors * 3 Religious cult * 4 In Greek art * 5 Comparative mythology * 6 Classical tradition * 6.1 Literature * 6.2 Classical music, opera, and ballet * 6.3 In painting * 6.4 In landscape painting * 6.5 In sculpture * 7 Science * 7.1 Liver regeneration * 8 See also * 9 Notes * 10 References * 11 Further reading * 12 External links| Etymology

The ancients believed that the name Prometheus derived from the Greek pro (before) + manthano (learn) and the agent suffix -eus, thus meaning "Forethinker". Plato contrasts Prometheus with his dull-witted brother Epimetheus, "Afterthinker".[3] Writing in late antiquity, the Latin commentator Servius explains that Prometheus was so named because he was a man of great foresight (vir prudentissimus), possessing the abstract quality of providentia, the Latin equivalent of Greek promētheia (ἀπὸ τής πρόμηθείας).[4] Modern scientific linguistics suggests that the name derived from the Proto-Indo-European root that also produces the Vedic pra math, "to steal," hence pramathyu-s, "thief", cognate with "Prometheus", the thief of fire. The Vedic myth of fire's theft by Mātariśvan is an analog to the Greek account. Pramantha was the tool used to create fire.[5] Mythology

YOU MAY ALSO FIND THESE DOCUMENTS HELPFUL

...The concept of “Prometheus” within Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
Index
Introduction - 3
Greek Promethean myth - 4
The Modern Prometheus - 5
Conclusion - 7
Bibliography - 8
Introduction
In this short work, it will be made an explanation about what is the Greek Promethean myth and the message behind this myth. It will also be made a comparison...

...When comparing the ancient Greek creation myth of Prometheus and the Judaeo-Christian Adam and Eve story we find some striking similarities in both of them.
Analyzing Hesiod’s Theogony and other sources we come to the conclusion that the old Greek religion did not include a direct link as to the creation of the humans. They just co-existed with the Gods. Maybe they sprang from Gaea herself, it is not certain.
Other sources for the creation of man, point to Zeus giving...

... PrometheusPrometheus was once a friend of Zeus and every god and goddess on Olympus. Through a brave form of trickery for human kind and thieving he managed to get himself banished from Olympus and tied to a mountain by Zeus. Not only was he left on the mountain for centuries, he was also constantly having his liver eaten by a eagle. The Eagle would eat at his liver for the whole day while at night it would regenerate because of his...

...Aeschylus’ tragedy, Prometheus Bound, is an interesting example of Aristotle’s tragedy because it encompasses a god’s own reversal leading to suffering brought upon his fellow gods. Prometheus Bound is the story of the god Prometheus and the events that follow after he disobeys the new ruler, Zeus, by granting gifts of survival, namely fire, to humankind. Catharsis is found in the play because the audience pities Prometheus for having to...

...Is Victor Frankenstein the modern Prometheus?
Mary Shelley’s purpose in the subtitle of her book, Frankenstein; or, the modern Prometheus is to compare Victor Frankenstein and Prometheus, son of Zeus. By showing many similarities between the two, she has solid reasoning that Dr. Frankenstein is, in many ways, the “modern Prometheus.” Although both main characters create a problem they have no control over, they learn their lesson of...

...
Victor, Sailor, and Prometheus
What are the similarities between Victor Frankenstein, the sailor from “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and the figures from “Prometheus”. The three stories of these characters can tell you. Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and the story of Prometheus.
Victor Frankenstein a young Swiss boy, he grows up in Geneva reading books by old alchemists, and he goes to...

...The Modern Prometheus
In Marry Shelly's book Frankenstein, she tells the story of a man named Victor Frankenstein. The character of Frankenstein contains traits that parallel Prometheus from Greek mythology. Through his actions and emotions Victor Frankenstein becomes the modern Prometheus by producing ill-fated actions that carry tragic consequences just as Prometheus' did.
Prometheus was a figure in Greek mythology...

...Prometheus was a Greek titan who, according to myth, gave us fire (among other things). Like with many Greek mythological figures, there are many different legends about him. The most definitive work about him is the book "Prometheus Bound" by Aeschylus.
Here are the claims given by critics:
1. He descended from Heaven as God incarnate to save mankind.
First of all, Prometheus wasn't 'God'. The Greek equivalent of the Judeo-Christian God...